← Back to the guide
Culture and language
Learning Thai, understanding customs and not embarrassing yourself.
Greetings and respect
The wai (hands together, slight bow) is the greeting. Age and rank matter — greet the elder/senior first. Don't touch anyone's head (the most sacred part of the body). Don't point your feet at people or at Buddha images (the least pure part). Tone of voice: calm, always. Thais don't shout or confront.
Religion and temples
~95% of the population is Theravada Buddhist. Visiting a temple: shoulders and knees covered (men and women), barefoot inside the main hall, women don't touch monks (offer objects through the cloth he holds). Don't take a photo with Buddha behind you as an accessory. Poorly made Buddha tattoos can be offensive.
Monarchy
The Lèse-majesté law (Article 112) punishes any offense to the royal family with up to 15 years in prison. Don't dismiss it as paper-only — tourists have been arrested. Don't step on coins/bills (they bear the king's image), stand up when the anthem plays in cinemas (it always does), never joke with royal portraits.
Festivals
Songkran (Thai New Year, April) — a 3-5 day national water fight, very safe and fun for families. Loy Krathong (November) — floating lanterns on water and in the sky; Chiang Mai has its parallel Yi Peng (the most beautiful local version in the world). Royal Flora (annual in Chiang Mai). Casa Brasil gathers Brazilians for all of these via /eventos.
Learning Thai
Tone changes meaning. "Mai mai mai mai mai" can be a valid sentence — it depends on tones. Basic apps: Ling, Drops, ThaiPod101. Serious school: AUA Chiang Mai (the best in town, certified). Phrases worth their weight in gold: "sawatdee khap/kha" (hi, male/female), "khop khun khap/kha" (thank you), "mai pen rai" (it's okay, no problem — the national catchphrase).
Did we miss something?
This guide is alive — we keep updating it based on community experience. Got a tip or correction for this topic? Send it our way.
Talk to Casa Brasil